Sydney Thunder’s big-hitting new import Jason Roy gets a great chance to show his prowess on debut against the short boundaries of the Big Bash League’s newest venue.
The Thunder host Hobart Hurricanes on Friday in the first competitive cricket match played at Spotless Stadium, home of AFL’s GWS Giants.
A crowd of around 15,000 is expected for a crucial clash between two teams who are in mid-table on the same amount of points, though the Hurricanes have played one more game.
A drop in pitch, which got a trial in a Thunder intra-squad practice match, will be used and Thunder coach Paddy Upton guessed a total of around 155 might constitute a par score at the venue.
Roy, who replaces England one-day captain Eoin Morgan, was the leading runscorer in England’s 2014 domestic T20 competition with 677 at 48.35, at a very impressive strike rate of 157.07.
The South African born 24-year-old, who made his England T20 debut last September, will on Friday play the first of three games for Thunder.
He has smashed 79 sixes in 80 T20 games and is a noted switch-hitter and big driver down the ground.
That latter attribute could come in handy at Spotless Stadium, which has short straight boundaries, just like Thunder’s other home ground across the road at ANZ Stadium.
Batsman Mark Cosgrove is an injury replacement for Kurtis Patterson, who damaged the posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during their opening match again Brisbane Heat.
The Thunder have also signed former Sydney Sixers all-rounder Ian Moran as an injury replacement for Andrew McDonald, who suffered a hamstring strain during the Thunder’s recent victory over the Scorchers.
The Hurricanes suffered two injury blows on Thursday, with vice-captain Tim Paine (broken toe) and another key batsman, Travis Birt (strained hamstring), both ruled out.
“A decision on Tim’s availability for the rest of the tournament will be made over the coming days, pending the levels of pain and swelling in his toe,” Hurricanes physiotherapist Stewart Williamson said.
“Travis sustained a grade 1 strain to his hamstring…we are hopeful that he will be available for the game in Brisbane next week.”
With these injuries and the departure of English batter Alex Hales, Pakistan international Shoaib Malik and Dominic Michael and Sean Willis come into Hobart’s squad.
